LUKAKU: Jose’s made me a better player ALREADY
After opening his United account £75m striker says boss Jose has made him a better player in just ONE week
ROMELU LUKAKU claims Jose Mourinho has made him a better player – after just one week.
Lukaku scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on the second game of their US tour. And the forward, who joined United from Everton in a £75million deal, said he had already added to his game since being reunited with his former Chelsea boss Mourinho. “He knows what I can bring to the team and he’s someone who is pushing me,” said Lukaku. “I push myself too, but he makes me a better player. I think I learned a lot from him in the last week and I’m glad I can work with him. “He said I had to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m happy for my goal. “There’s still a lot of work to do, as a team we know we need to be much better. “But I’m glad I’m here because you really see it’s a big club and that was the challenge, the move I wanted. “I’m very happy now. I have to make sure I stay focused and have the same ambition I’ve always had and work hard – that’s the key to success.” The arrival of Lukaku, plus £30m defender Victor Lindelof, has convinced defender Phil Jones that United can challenge for the title for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. “You can see he’s a strong player,” said Jones. “He’s difficult for defenders to play against. “He’s going to be a handful for a lot of players this season and we’re lucky to have him. “He’s a terrific striker. He knows where the back of the net is and he adds something different to what we had last season.” After Ferguson quit following the club’s 20th championship triumph in 2013, United have failed to make any sort of title challenge, losing their aura of invincibility and swagger. Jones said: “I think slowly but surely we’re getting that back. It’s taken time but we’re getting there. “We’re definitely a lot stronger this year. We’ve recruited well, big Rom up front is a threat, a real handful
while Victor has come in and he looks like he’s been here for five years. So we’re positive and looking forward.” Jones faces a battle to be a regular for United following the arrival of Lindelof, who is likely to be Mourinho’s firstchoice at the back alongside Eric Bailly. But Jones, whose six-year United career has been blighted by injury, said he had proved his worth under all of his managers at Old Trafford and will do so again. “Whoever I’ve played under – Ferguson, Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho – if I’ve been fit then the majority of the time I’ve played,” said Jones. “If there’s competition, there’s competition. “There are some terrific defenders at the club and that’s the way it should be. “You want to test yourself against the best and play with the best, and that’s what we’ve got here. “There’s strength in depth and that’s what we need. That’s what the manager thought we needed. “He’s recruited well, we’re all working well and gelling well and looking forward to the start of the season. “But we’ve got some big games first.”